pillage
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
-
the act of plundering, especially in war.
- Synonyms:
- spoliation, depredation, rapine
-
booty or spoil.
- Synonyms:
- plunder
verb
noun
-
the act of pillaging
-
something obtained by pillaging; booty
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of pillage
1350–1400; Middle English pilage ( see pill 3, -age), modeled on Middle French pillage (derivative of piller to pillage, originally, to abuse, mistreat, tear, of uncertain origin)
Explanation
To pillage is a term of war that means to take everything of value from a place that you've conquered, but these days, pillage can be used to talk about anyone who takes what's not theirs. It wasn't enough just to win a battle. A conquering army had to pillage entire cities, taking everything of value that wasn't nailed down. Recently, several European families have won cases in international courts against museums displaying art that was looted by the Nazis during World War II. These families claim that the art was pillaged during the war and that, rather than being displayed on museum walls, it should be returned to its rightful owners.
Vocabulary lists containing pillage
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Words Every Pirate Should Know
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Born a Crime
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In the UK the practice reportedly links back to the Viking pillage of Lindisfarne.
From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026
That was Hirsh Jain’s intention, the filing said, citing an alleged text to Radha Jain in which he said: “I’m down to pillage the best devs at Palantir when they’re at their maximum richness.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025
In theory, pirates plunder and pillage outside the law, while corsairs were privateers regulated by authorities.
From National Geographic • Jan. 11, 2024
Once the gold or bitcoin starts to dry up, people turn angry, looking for scapegoats and pillage.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2023
In days gone by, these men held Hypereia, a country of wide dancing grounds, but near them were overbearing Kyklopes, whose power could not be turned from pillage.
From "The Odyssey" by Homer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
